A Lyndeborough woman said she lost her life savings when her purse was stolen in Manchester Friday afternoon.

Manchester police responded around 3:25 p.m. to the Dunkin' Donuts at the Elliot Hospital for the report of a theft.

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Dunkin' Donuts manager Rebecca St. Laurent told police that she had placed her purse next to a table earlier in the day. She said she left the purse and went back to work but when she returned a few minutes later, her purse was gone.

St. Laurent told News 9 that she had just emptied her bank accounts that day as she is in the middle of moving. She said her entire life savings was in her purse.

She contacted Elliot Security officers for assistance. The security officers found her purse, but her wallet and her life savings had been taken.

Police said surveillance video confirmed that St. Laurent put her purse down on a counter and walked away.

In the time she was gone, the video shows a woman taking the purse and leaving the Dunkin' Donuts.

Manchester Police Department

The purse was found in the trash can near the emergency room. Police said it appeared the woman left the hospital through the emergency room area.

The woman believed to have taken the purse is described as a Hispanic woman, about 5 feet 5 inches tall with a thin build. Police said she had dark hair and was wearing a long, puffy, black jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Manchester Police Department at 603-668-8711.